Illnesses Associated With Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder commonly occurs with other mental illnesses. This is called co-morbidity. Options are available for treating these co-morbid disorders.

Anxiety

• Anxiety commonly co-occurs with bipolar disorder. Anxiety often manifests as knots in the stomach, a red face and a feeling of overall anxiousness. More serious anxiety results in panic disorders in which the person feels like his world is collapsing, his mind is racing and he cannot breathe. Anxiety is treatable with cognitive behavioral therapy as well as psychopharmacological (medication) treatment.

Substance Abuse

• Perhaps because they are self medicating, people with bipolar disorder have a high incidence of substance abuse. Be it marijuana, cocaine, alcohol or prescription narcotics, people with bipolar disorder often use these. Help for substance abuse is available from Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous or from group or individual counseling.

Eating Disorders and Obesity

• Eating disorders and obesity are often co-morbid with bipolar disorder. In fact, it is common for people with bipolar disorder to have type 2 diabetes as a result of their obesity. Whether on a manic high and not eating, or on a depressive low and either undereating or overeating, people with bipolar disorder can struggle with their relationship to eating and food. This is treatable with an eating management program provided by a program such as Weight Watchers or by individual or group counseling.

Gambling, Sexual and Spending Addictions

• People with bipolar disorder often engage in reckless behavior as a symptom of mania. Whether gambling or spending money they do not have or engaging in unsafe sexual behavior, bipolar individuals are at a risk for engaging in these risky behaviors. Help is available in the form of individual or group counseling.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• ADHD manifests as a disorder in which the patient might be spacey, easily distracted, inattentive or hyperactive. It is often seen with bipolar disorder. Treatment can be had in the form of medication or individual counseling.